Indictments may be downfall of tax
House Democrats led by Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, would like the opportunity to do what they were unable to do last year: Adopt a system that taxes oil on gross revenues, instead of a net tax on profits alone.

Nothing wrong with confronting 'purveyors of bad policy'
I read with interest the letter by Matt Huston ("Conservative cruisers to meet a Juneau welcoming party," July 24), and the response by Ty McMichael ("Why harass cruise ship passengers?" July 26). Huston invites locals who oppose the political views of the passengers on a National Review cruise.

There's a side to 'SiCKO' that Moore's not telling us
That was a nice plug the Empire gave Michael Moore's latest polemic on the inherent evils of American society (Korry Keeker's front page article, July 26). I especially liked the quote from the French physician that Americans don't embrace socialized medicine because they're too cheap.

Are Gravina bridge backers willing to use general fund money?
When sane public officials do the math, there's a greater probability monkeys will fly across Tongass Narrows before Ketchikan residents can drive across it. If Alaskans want to update the price tag on the Gravina Island Bridge, they need look no further than the newly opened Tacoma Narrows Bridge. I

Argument against road out of Juneau doesn't hold water
Erik Lie-Nielsen's argument in his Letter to the Editor ("Tune would be different if proponents realized they had to pay for road," July 24) doesn't hold water. He, along with everyone else, is already paying for bridges, airports and highways all around the United States that many of us will never use or even see. That's the way our country is set up.

Photo: Last step to citizenship
Miriam Returan Cortes solemnly takes the Oath of Allegiance on Friday as she stands on the threshold of becoming a U.S. citizen at a naturalization ceremony in the Federal Courthouse.

Coast Guard: Sunken vessel recovered
The U.S. Coast Guard planned to supervise the off-loading of fuel from a recovered ship on Monday, six days after it capsized in Lynn Canal and spilled its cargo of explosives and an excavator.

Indictments may be downfall of tax
House Democrats led by Rep. Beth Kerttula, D-Juneau, would like the opportunity to do what they were unable to do last year: Adopt a system that taxes oil on gross revenues, instead of a net tax on profits alone.

My turn: 'Clean elections' a bad idea
Proponents of so-called "clean elections" in Alaska are trying to sell fool's gold to voters. Supporters know their proposal looks valuable at first glance, so they are hoping to enact the measure without a close inspection. But a closer inspection reveals that what they are peddling is a sham.

Outside Editorial: Bush aides need to testify
It's been said that a vice is often nothing more than a virtue taken too far, and that is certainly true of the Bush administration's use of executive privilege. Faced with a congressional inquiry into the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, the president has refused to let key aides answer questions about the deliberations that led to the dismissals.

Photo: Serving seniors at Governor's Picnic
Gov. Sarah Palin, left, serves a hamburger to Ahmed Amer, 84, on Saturday during the annual Governor's Picnic in Anchorage. Palin signed the senior benefits program into law during the picnic.

New program boosts benefits for seniors
Starting Wednesday, many seniors who rely on state help to stretch limited budgets will get a boost in their income, while thousands more will get help for the first time.

Kayaker rescued from frigid Turnagain Arm
A kayaker who was thrown into Turnagain Arm and swept along by its strong currents caught a lucky break when an Alaska State Trooper helicopter happened to be close by.

Defense says death of woman accidental
The defense attorney for the man accused of murdering a young Talkeetna woman four years ago dropped a bombshell during opening statements Monday: Michael Lawson killed Bethany Correira, he said.

FBI searches Stevens' home
Federal agents searched the home of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens on Monday, focusing on records related to his relationship with an oil field services contractor jailed in a public corruption investigation, a law enforcement official said.